Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,228	$ 1,251
Accounts receivable	125,152	157,369
Inventories	354,978	368,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	33,213	19,794
Current income taxes recoverable	12,006	2,801
Assets, Current, Total	528,577	549,697
Property, Plant and Equipment	163,624	162,239
Goodwill	109,533	223,611
Intangible Assets	172,059	183,524
Deferred income taxes	363	1,045
Other assets	8,017	9,442
Assets, Total	982,173	1,129,558
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	234,090	201,494
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	161,364	173,745
Customer and other deposits	4,901	2,543
Income taxes payable	1,351	5,661
Other current liabilities	818	1,016
Current portion of long-term debt	2,228	2,079
Current portion of long-term liabilities	5,300	5,500
Liabilities, Current, Total	410,052	392,038
Long-term debt	225,805	229,008
Long-term liabilities	8,352	15,354
Deferred income taxes	15,850	44,561
Liabilities, Total	660,059	680,961
Preferred shares of a subsidiary company held for sale	80,193	79,184
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock	308,899	300,426
Additional paid in capital	28,006	25,522
Retained earnings	(89,291)	53,838
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(7,268)	(13,104)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	240,346	366,682
Non-controlling interest	1,575	2,731
Total Equity	241,921	369,413
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 982,173	$ 1,129,558